Sunriver Resort’s commitment to sustainable initiatives to help reduce its impact on Earth’s natural resources include recycling the water used in the vichy shower at Sage Springs Spa & Club to watering the greens at Sunriver Resort’s four golf courses to recycling the fryer oil used in the kitchen to produce biodiesel and working with nearby farmers/vendors to offer guests a selection of organic and locally sourced ingredients for their meals.
With the average hotel using 218 gallons of water and 30 pounds of waste per occupied room per day, and the hospitality industry as a whole spending $3.7 billion a year on energy, Sunriver Resort, by Destination Hotels & Resorts, wanted to be part of the solution reducing hospitality impact on Earth’s natural resources. Through local events, revised hotel practices and partnerships, Sunriver Resort continues to decrease its carbon footprint each year.
Most recently, Sunriver Resort demonstrated its passion and dedication to helping the environment by participating in Project Ponderosa, a project that aims to restore forest diversity in the Sunriver ecosystem. Hosted on Earth Day, 10 Sunriver Resort employees came together with local students to plant nearly 500 Ponderosa pine trees, which are critical in reforestation as they are strong and resistant to disease, mountain pine beetles, drought, wind changes and fire.
“Our Earth Day participation in Project Ponderosa showcases just one of the many ways Sunriver Resort helps the community and environment,” said Skip James, director of sales and marketing for Sunriver Resort. “The sustainable measures we have adopted help our resort conserve water and energy, and ensure the environment here in Central Oregon remains beautiful for years to come.”
In addition to volunteering for Earth Day, Sunriver Resort pledges its commitment to the environment through sustainable measures. Some of the more unique ways the resort is working to conserve include the following:
- Water is recycled from the vichy shower at Sage Springs Spa & Club to water and preserve the greens at Sunriver Resort’s four golf courses
- Fryer oil from the kitchen is recovered and recycled to produce biodiesel
- Housekeeping uses 100 percent organic cleaning solutions in all rooms and public spaces
- Crosswater Golf Club is a Certified Audubon Sanctuary that helps conserve national resources and protect wildlife habitats
- Three electrical car charging stations have been installed on-site
- Chefs work with local farmers and vendors to offer guests a selection of organic and locally sourced spirits, organic fair trade coffee and tea and sustainable meats, fish, vegetables and dairy
- All meetings and conferences exhibit “green” practices to help reduce waste, conserve water and better manage energy output
- All Sunriver Resort homes and condominiums use “eco-pillows” made up of 100 percent plastic bottles
- The Fort Funnigan and youth programs manage and maintain a greenhouse to educate participants about the environment
“At Sunriver Resort, we recognize that everyone benefits from a healthy and sustainable environment,” continued James. “We are committed to maintaining superior guest experiences while also reducing our impact on the Earth’s natural resources.”
